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German Phrase

Ich drück dem Heimteam die Daumen.

/ɪç ˈdrʏkə dem ˈhaɪmˌtiːm diː ˈdaʊ̯mən/
Meaning"I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the home team."
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Meaning

Literally, “I press the thumbs for the home team,” which is the German idiom for “I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the home team.” It expresses a wish for good luck, especially in sports or competitions.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you want to show support for a team, a friend, or anyone about to face a challenge – e.g., before a football match, an exam, or a job interview.

✦Grammar Breakdown

IchdrückdemHeimteamdieDaumen

1

Subject Pronoun

"Ich" is the first‑person singular pronoun and is the subject of the sentence.

2

Verb Conjugation

"drück" is the colloquial short form of "drücke", the present‑tense 1st‑person singular of "drücken".

3

Dative Object

"dem Heimteam" is in the dative case because the idiom "jemandem die Daumen drücken" takes an indirect object.

4

Accusative Plural

"die Daumen" is the plural accusative object (what is being pressed).

5

Idiom

"die Daumen drücken" means “to keep one’s fingers crossed” – i.e., to wish someone luck.

🗨In Conversation

A

Wie läuft das Spiel heute?

How’s the game going today?

Ich drück dem Heimteam die Daumen.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the home team.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich drück dem Heimteam die Daumen.

    In standard written German the verb should be "drücke"; "drück" is colloquial and acceptable in speech.

  • Ich drücke das Heimteam die Daumen.

    The idiom requires the dative case; "das" (accusative) is incorrect.

  • Ich drücke dem Heimteam den Daumen.

    If you use the singular form, the idiom loses its idiomatic meaning; it must stay plural.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich wünsche dem Heimteam viel Glück.

    I wish the home team good luck.

  • Ich halte dem Heimteam die Daumen.

    I’m holding my thumbs for the home team.

  • Viel Erfolg dem Heimteam!

    Good luck to the home team!

de

Cultural Tip

The expression "die Daumen drücken" is used across German‑speaking countries and is often accompanied by a literal gesture of crossing the thumb and index finger. It’s informal, so avoid it in very formal written contexts. In some regions people also say "Daumen drücken" without the article.